Apparatus for gauging container openings



Aug. 13, 1963 J. c. WHITE APPARATUS FOR GAUGING CONTAINER OPENINGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 1961 INVENTORI JOSEPH c. WHITE BY AT TYS.

Aug. 13, 1963 J. c. WHITE APPARATUS FOR GAUGING CONTAINER OPENINGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1961 INVENTOR3 JOSEPH C. WHITE BY A ATT Y5.

Aug. 13, 1963 J. c. WHITE 3,100,570

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING CONTAINER OPENINGS Filed- May 22, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

FIG4.

INVENTOR: JOSEPH C. WHITE 5.9 ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,ltiti,57) APKARATUS Ftiil GAUGKNG (IQNTAINER UPENENGS Joseph C. White, 317 th Ave, Royersford, Pa. Filed May 22, 196i, Ser. No. 111,624 11 Claims. (Ci. LBW-$2) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in bottle gauging apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus operable to determine whether or not the neck opem'ng in a bottle or other container conforms to specifications and is the proper size and also vertically disposed.

In the manufacture of containers of glass and other moldable or cast materials, it is necessary that the internal diameter of the neck opening in the containers conforms to specified standards and also that the opening through the neck of the container is to be filled by an automatic filling machine as the tube of the filling machine must have free and easy access within the container opening. For example, a bottle is formed in a casting machine and while it is still very hot, it is removed from the casting machine and placed in an annealing lehr or oven to be annealed. The annealing process is long and expensive, and it is wasteful both of time and money to permit imperfect containers to pass through the anneal lehr. Accordingly, it is desirable to inspect or gauge the neck openings in the containers before they enter the annealing lehr. If the bottles are gauged before undergoing the lengthy annealing process, defective bottles will be brought promptly to the attention of the machine operation so that corrective measures can be taken immediately 'and prior to the annealing operation.

More particularly, in certain types of containers from which liquids are dispensed by the drop, for example, such as liquid soaps, after shave lotions, hair tonics, toilet and cosmetic preparations, and the like, it is necessary that the neck opening of the container be large enough to permit filling thereof yet small enough to insure dispensing of the contents by the drop. To this end, it is customary in the trade for the manufacturing specifications for such containers to specify both a maximum and minimum dimension for the diameter of the container neck opening. Containers having neck openings smaller than the specified minimum or greater than the specified maximum are not acceptable and therefore must be rejected. Accordingly, it is necessary to inspect and gauge the neck opening of each container with respect to both the specified maximum and minimum diameter. Prior to the present invention, this inspection has been performed by manually inserting a gauge into the opening of every container and visually inspecting the containers. The time and labor required for this manual inspection procedure adds considerably to the cost of producing the containers.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus for gauging the neck openings of bottles and like containers to determine whether or not the diameter of the opening is within the range of maximum and minimum diameter specified for the particular container.

Another object or" the invention is to provide gauging apparatus as set forth which is automatic-ally operable to gauge the neck opening of a container which is moving continuously in a predetermined path thereby eliminating the necessity for interrupting travel of the container with consequent loss of time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel gauging apparatus of the character set forth which is operable automatically to reject bottles which do not conform to the specified standards.

3,lfiil,57il Patented Aug. 13, 1963 These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary plan views showing different operative positions of certain parts of the apparatus;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic elevational views similar to FIG. 4 showing different operative positions of certain parts of the apparatus; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical equip ment and circuit employed in the apparatus.

The particular illustrated embodiment of the gauging apparatus of the present invention is designed to be positioned intermediate a bottle casting machine and an annealing oven. As the bottles or other objects to be gauged are removed from the casting machine, they are placed on a conveyor at predetermined intervals and carried continuously by the conveyor past the gauging apparatus which inserts a plug gauge in their neck opening. If the neck openings in the bottles meet predetermined specifications, they are permitted to continue on the conveyor to apparatus which removes the bottles from the conveyor and places them in the annealing oven. On the other hand, if the bottles do not meet the specifications, they are automatically removed from the conveyor.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of the apparatus constructed and operable in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a horizontally disposed endless conveyor belt 1 which moves continuously in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 1) and is operable to convey a series of bottles or like containers 2 in longitudinally spaced relation therealong. During a portion of their travel with the belt 1 the containers 2 are predeterminedly positioned laterally on the belt 1 by means of a pair of guide rails 3 as more clearly shown, for example, in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the said guide rails 3 being laterally adjustable with respect to each other and the belt 1 according to the particular dimensions of the series of containers 2 being conveyed thenebetween by the belt 1.

Normally disposed in the path of each container 2 as the latter is conveyed by the belt 1 between the guide rails 3 is the actuator arm 4 of a detector switch 5 which is normally open and is successively closed momentarily upon engagement and actuation of the arm t by each container 2 advanced by the belt 1. The detector switch 5 is mounted at the lower end of a bracket 6 which is secured to and depends from a plate 7 forming a part of the structural framework of the apparatus.

Disposed above the belt 1 in accurate transverse alignment with the neck openings 2a of the containers 2, advanced by said belt 1, is a gauge plug 8 having a lower gauge portion 9 of predetermined diameter and an upper gauge portion ll of predetermined greater diameter representing, respectively, the minimum and maximum permissible diameters of the neck opening 2a in each container 2. In other words, for a specified dimension range for the diameter of the container neck opening 2a, the

iameter of the smaller portion 9 of the gauge plug 8 is such that normally it will enter and pass freely inwardly of the neck opening in, and the diameter of the larger plug portion 10 is such that normally it will not enter the container neck opening 2a.

The gauge plug 8 is mounted at the lower end of a stem 11 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the spaced parallel portions 12 and 13 of a bracket 14 fixedly mounted on the right hand end (FIG. 1) of a rod 15. Downward sliding movement of the stem 11 and gauge plug 8 is limited by a collar 16 adjustably secured on the stem 11 and normally engaged with the upper face of the bracket portion 12, the said beam 11 and plug 8 being biased to the lower .limit position by means of an expansion coil spring 17 on the stem 11 and acting between the collar '16 and adjacent surface of the upper bracket portion'13.

In accordance with the present invention, the gauge :plug 8 is caused to traverse an arcuate path or stroke from the position a shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, through mid-position b, to position and then return to start position a. As hereinafter more particularly .described, movement of the gauge plug .8 through its arcuate stroke from position a to position c takes place in timed relation to the travel of the belt 1 and containers 2 thereon so that normally during each traverse of the plug 8 from position a to c the smaller plug portion 9 will be inserted into and withdrawn from the neck opening 2a of a container 2 as advanced by the belt 1.

To actuate the gauge plug 8 the aforementioned rod 15 is mounted in a horizontal position in a pair of horizontally spaced blocks 18 and 19, having suitable set screws 18a and 19a, respectively, to permit longitudinal adjustment therein of the rod 15. The block 19 carries a trunnion or shaft 20 which is journalled in the radial hub portion 21 of a crank arm 22, the central hub portion 23 of which is fixed on a shaft '24. The shaft 24 is rotatably mounted in suitable openings provided in the frame plate 7 and associated spaced parallel bracket plate 25.

In similar manner, the block 18 carries a trunnion or shaft 26 which is journalled in the radial hub portion 27 of a crank arm 28, the central hub portion 29 of which is fixedly mounted on a shaft 36. The shaft 30 is also ro- .tatably mounted in suitable openings provided in the frame plate 7 and associated bracket plate 25, previously .described. In this connection, it is pointed out that the shafts 24 and 30 are mounted in spaced parallel relation .to .each other and in the same horizontal plane, and that .the crank arms 22 and 28, respectively, mounted on said shafts 24 and 39 are of equal length and disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other.

Mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 30' from the .crank arm 28 is the central hub portion 31 of another crank arm 32, which has its radial or outer hub portion 33 pivotally connected to one end of a connecting arm 34. The other or opposite end of said drive arm 34 is pivotally connected at 35 to the outer end of a crank arm 36 formed on the central hub portion 37 of the driven member 38 of a magnetic clutch 39. The driven clutch member 38 and its hub portion 37 are freely mounted on a drive shaft 40 having its opposite ends rotatably mounted in suitable aligned openings provided in the aforesaid frame plate 7 and the vertical leg portion of an angle bar 41 which also forms a part of the structural framework .of the apparatus. Longitudinal displacement of the shaft 40 with respect to the plate 7 and angle bar 41 is prevented by collars 42 and 43, respectively, secured on the opposite extremities of said shaft 40.

Fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 4% in confronting relation to the clutch driven member 38 is the driving member 44 of the magnetic clutch 39. The shaft 40 and driving clutch member 44 are rotationally driven by a spur gear 45 fixed on said shaft 40 and driven by a pinion 46 meshed with the gear 45. The pinion 46 is fixed on the shaft 47 of a reduction gear 48 which in turn is driven by a continuously operating electric motor 49. The driving member 44 of the clutch '39 contains a conventional electromagnetic coil 44a (see FIG. 9) to which electric [current is supplied, for example, through a pair of commutator rings 56 from contacts 51, as more particularly described hereinafter. Thus the construction is such that upon energization of the coil 44a in the driving member 44 of the clutch 39, the driven member 38 of said clutch will be into engagement with said member 44 thereby establishing a driving connection to the said driven clutch member 38.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, rotation of the driven clutch member 38 is positively limited to the angle or circular degrees of movement of the crank arms 32, 28 and 22 which is required to eifect traverse of the plug gauge 8 through its arcuate stroke from position a to position 0 as previously described. In the present instance, this is accomplished by providing a pair of fixedly mounted stops or abutments 52 and 53, respectively, disposed angul-arly with respect to each other and the shaft 49 as best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. An arm portion 54 projecting radially from the hub portion 37 of the driven clutch member 38 has its outer end disposed for cooperative engagement with the aforesaid stops 52 and 53 to limit rotational movement of the driven clutch member 38 and its crank arm 36 to the angular degrees required to actuate the gauge plug 8 through its arcuate stroke from position a to position 0 as aforesaid.

The stop or abutment 52 is positioned as shown in FIG. 1 so that when engaged by the arm 54 of hub 37, the crank 36, connecting arm 34, and crank arms 28 and 22 and plug 8 will be in the inoperative or start position of the apparatus shown in solid lines. On the other hand, the stop 53 is positioned so that when the magnetic clutch 32 is energized to rotationally actuate the hub arm 54 into engagement with said stop 53, the crank arms 28 and 22, respectively, will be in the positions shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and the plug gauge 8 will be in the position 0.

A spring 56- circumscribes the shaft 40 and acts between the frame plate 7 and hub 37 normally to urge the driven clutch member 38 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to FIG. 1 so that the arm 54 normally is biased to engage the fixed stop 52 and urge the several crank arms 28 and 22 as well as the plug gauge 8 to the inoperative or start positions of said parts shown in solid lines in FIG. 1.

Mounted in cooperative association with the crank arm 28 is a limit switch 57. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, limit switch 57 normally is closed and is actuated to open position only momentarily when the crank arm 23 is actuated to its other limit position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, by engagement of a lug or projection 58 on the crank arm 28 with the switch button 59.

Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the detector switch 5 is connected across the line conductors 6t) and 61 in series with the coil 62 of a relay 63. Associated with the relay -63 are two switches 6-4 and 65, the switch 6-;- being connected across the line conductors 6t) and 61 in series with coil 44a of the driving clutch member 44, and the switch being connected across the line condoctors in series with limit switch '57.

Thus, in the inoperative or start position of the apparatus shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the limit switch 57 is closed, and it will be apparent that upon engagement of the arm 4 by a container 2 advanced by belt 1, the normally open detector switch 5 will be closed momentarily thereby energizing relay 63 and simultaneously closing switches 64 and 65, respectively. Closing of the switch 64 energizes coil 44a of the magnetic clutch 39 thereby establishing driving connection from shaft 4t) to the driven clutch member 38, while closing of switch 65 completes a circuit through the normally closed limit switch '57 to maintain relay 63 energized after the detector switch 5 reopens upon release of the arm 4 when disengaged from the passing container 2.

Upon energization of the coil 44a of the magnetic clutch 39 and establishment of driving connection between the shaft 4t and driven clutch member 33, as aforesaid, the member 38 will be actuated in the clockwise direction, with respect to FEG. 1 of the drawings, between the limits defined by the fixed stops or abutments 52 and 53, thereby causing the gauge plug 8 to traverse its arcuate stroke from position a to position c.

The location of the detector switch arm 4 and the relationship between the speed of travel of the belt 1 and the gauge plug 8 through its arcuate stroke, are such that the smaller diameter portion 9 of the plug 8 normally will be inserted inwardly of the neck opening 2a in the container and be withdrawn therefrom in the course of travel of the plug gauge 8 from position a to position 0. In this connection it is pointed out that the relationship of the gauge plug 8 and its portions 9 and iii with respect to each other and the height of a particular container 2 is predetermined and arranged so that as the container 2 and gauge plug 8 pass through mid-position of the latter, the larger gauge portion 10 of the plug 8 will engage upon the upper end surface of the neck of the container 2 and thereby cause said plug 8 and its stem ill to be displaced upwardly a predetermined distance relative to the bracket 14 against the downward bias of the spring 17, for example, in the general relationship shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The purpose for this particular construction and arrangement or" these parts will be described later herein.

The arcuate stroke of the gauge plug 8 is limited by engagement of the clutch hub arm 54- With the fixed stop or abutment 53 at which time the plug 8 has reached position and the crank arms 28 and 2.2 are in the relative positions shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. In this position of the crank arm 28 the projection 53 thereon has engaged switch button 59 thereby actuating the latter to open momentarily the normally closed limit switch 57. Opening of the limit switch 57 operates to break the circuit through the relay coil 62 thus deenergizing the latter and causing the relay contacts 64 and 65 to open. Opening of the relay contacts 64 breaks the circuit through the coil 44a of the magnetic clutch 39 thereby interrupting the driving connection to the clutch member 38 whereupon spring 56 operates to actuate the clutch member 38 in the counterclockwise direction thus returning the hub arm 54 to its normal position engaged upon the fixed stop 52 and the crank arms 28 and 22 and gauge plug 8 to their respective inoperative or start positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. In this position the limit switch 57 has again closed and the apparatus is set and ready to repeat the described cycle of operation upon engagement of the detector switch arm 4 by the next container 2 advanced by the belt 1.

As previously stated, an object of the present invention is to provide automatically operable means for ejecting or discharging from the belt 1 containers advanced thereby having neck openings Za therein which do not conform to specifications. For this purpose there is provided laterally adjacent the conveyor belt 1 an ejector arm 66 which has one end fixed to a vertical shaft 67 that is rotatably mounted in the vertically spaced trunnion portions 63 and d9 of a bracket 70 forming a part of the structural framework of the apparatus. The ejector arm 66 is mounted at a level above the plane of the belt 1 and upon rotation of the shaft 67 in the counterclockwise direction said arm es is caused to swing crosswise over the belt 1 as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The ejector bar ss normally is retained in the solid line position shown in FIG. 2 by means of a spring 71 acting between the bracket 7d and the free end of an arm 72 which has its other end fixed on the shaft 67 intermediate the trunnions 63 and 6?. Actuation of the ejector arm 65 rosswise of the conveyor belt 1, as previously described, is accomplished by means of a solenoid 73 having an armature 74 which,

upon energization of the coil of the solenoid 73, is actuated to the right, with respect to FIG. 2, thereby actuating the arm 72, shaft 67 and ejector arm as in the counterclockwise direction, thus causing the said arm 66 to swing crosswise over the conveyor belt 1 to a position intercepting the normal path of travel of the containers. 'iowever, immediately upon return of the plug gauge actuating mechanism to its start or home position, interruption of the hold circuit for the solenoid 73 by the cam projection 58 on crank arm 28 permits the ejector bar 65 to return instantly under bias of the spring 71 thereby sweeping the defective container from the belt.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, energization of the solenoid 73 and actuation of the ejector arm 66 is controlled by a pair of switches 75 and 76. The switch 75 is structurally biased to closed position and is mounted in the depending leg 77 of a bracket 78 which projects laterally from the frame plate 7 and bracket 25 in generally overlying relation with respect to the conveyor belt 1, for example, as most clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The switch 7 6, also structurally biased to closed circuit position, is mounted on the face of the bracket 25 and positioned relative to the crank arm 28 so that in the inoperative or start position of said arm 2 shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, its projection '58 is engaged with switch button 79 thereby holding open the said switch 76. The switch 75 also normally is held in open circuit position by engagement of its button 80 by the projection 81 of a gate member 82, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 of the drawings.

The gate 82 is journalled on a shaft 83 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The shaft 83 is mounted in vertically spaced arm portions 34 and 85 of a bracket 36 secured to the depending leg 77 of the bracket 78 previously described. The gate 82 normally is held by a spring 87 in the position shown in said FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 of the drawings, against a stop 88 on the bracket arm portion 85, so that the projection 81 of the gate 82 normally is engaged against the switch button 80 thereby normally holding the switch 75 in open circuit position as previously described.

Referring again to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the switch 75 is connected across the line conductors 60 and 61 in series with the coil '89 of a relay having switches 91 and 92. The switch 91 connects across the line conductors 6d and 61 in series with the solenoid coil "73 and the relay switch 92 also connects across said line conductors but in series with switch 76. Thus in the inoperative or start position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the switches 75 and 76 are both open. With respect to the switch 76, this is permitted to close during each stroke of the gauge plug 8 from position a to position c and return, by reason of the disengagement of projection 53 from switch button 79 as the associated crank arm 28 moves from the solid line position shown FIG. 1 to the broken line position, the said switch 76 being reopened by engagement of the projection '58 with its button 79 upon return of crank arm 28 to its inoperative or start position. Closing of the switch 76 however will not result in energization of the relay coil 89 unless and until the switch 75 is closed. This is accomplished by actuation of the gate 82 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5, as hereinafter described, thus closing switch 75 momentarily and energizing the relay 90 and simultaneously closing the relay switches 91 and 92 respectively. Closing of the relay switch 91 energizes the solenoid coil 73 thereby actuating the ejector arm 66 crosswise of the conveyor belt 1 as previously described, while closing of the relay switch 92 completes a circuit through the closed switch '76 to maintain the relay it energized after switch 75 has reopened upon return. of the gate 82 to position shown in FIG. 6.

For actuating the gate 82 as described, the collar 16 secured on the plug stem 11 has a projecting portion 16:;

extending laterally in the directionrof the gate 82. In this connection it is to be noted that the gate 82 is positioned laterally with respect to the projection 16a so that in certain vertical positions thereof, portions of the gate 82 will lie in the path of and be engaged and actuated by the collar projection 16a as the latter moves with the stem 11 and plug 8 through the arcuate stroke from position a to position 0, while in other vertical positions clearance for the projection 16a is provided by a notch or recess 93 in the gauge 82 so that the latter is not engaged and actuated by said projection 16a. In the return or reverse direction of travel the collar 16 will be deflected by the gate as clearly shown in FIG. 6 thereby precluding operation of the switch 75.

Thus, for example, if the neck opening 2a in the container 2 is vertically disposed and if the diameter or" said opening lies within the maximum and minimum dimensions specified therefor, the smaller gauge portion 9 of the plug 8 will enter and pass inwardly of the opening 2a and the larger gauge portion 10 of said plug will engage and seat upon the top end surface of the container as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In this relationship the plug 8 and stem 11 are vertically displaced a predetermined distance such that, as the stem and plug pass through the rnid-position b of the stroke from position a to position 0, the projection 16a will be disposed at an elevation Within the limits of the gate recess 93. Thus, the gate 32 is not engaged and actuated by the said projection 16a, and consequently the container 2 will be conveyed by the belt 1 Without interruption to the annealing oven or other station.

On the other hand, if the neck opening 2a is smaller than the minimum diameter specified, the plug gauge portion 9 will not enter the neck opening 2:: and the plug 8 and its stem 11 together with the collar 16 will be displaced upwardly against the downward bias of spring 17 to the extent that the upper gate portion M is disposed in the path of the projection 16a, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Similarly, if the container neck opening 2a is larger than the maximum diameter specified, then the larger plug portion it) will pass inwardly of the oversized neck opening thus disposing the collar projection 16:: so that the lower gate portion 95 lies in the path of said projection 16a, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. In either such event, it will be apparent that the projection 16a will engage the gate portion 94 or 95 and actuate the gate 82 in the counterclockwise direction against the bias of the spring 87 to the position shown in FIG. of the drawings. Actuation of the gate 82 :as described releases switch button 80 causing switch 75 to close momentarily.

Momentary closing of the switch 75 completes the circuit through the relay 99 thereby energizing solenoid 73 and causing the ejector bar 66 to be actuated crosswise of the conveyor belt 1 and into the path of the defective container 2 which has just been gauged by the plug 8. The bar 66 is held in ejecting position across the belt 1 after reopening of the switch 75 since the switch '76 remains closed to maintain the solenoid 73 energized during the entire stroke and return of the gauge plug 3. Thus, a container having an imperfect neck opening 2a which has been tested by the gauge plug 8 will be carried by the belt 1 into position with respect to the ejector bar 66 whereupon actuation of said :bar under circumstances previously described the defective container will be swept from the belt.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides novel gauging apparatus which is automatically operable to gauge the neck openings of continuously moving containers and to reject those containers having neck openings which do not conform to predetermined specifications. ,While a particular apparatus embodying the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, and changes and modifications may be made and incorporated as desired or required, within the scope ofthe claims, without departing from the invention.

I claim: I

1. Apparatus for gauging the neck opening of a container moving continuously in a predetermined path, comprising a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of ditferent diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specified for the container opening, actuating mechanism operable to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of the moving container, means biasing the gauge element to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said element for displacement upwardly by the container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element tails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event that said a smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening,

and detector means actuatable by the container operable to effect operation of said actuating mechanism in timed relation with said moving container for gauging said container by the gauge element.

2. Apparatus for gauging the neck opening of a container moving continuously in a predetermined path, comprising a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of different diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specified for the container opening, actuating mechanism operable to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of the moving container, means biasing the gauge element to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said element for displacement upwardly by the container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event that said smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, detector means actuatable by the container operable to 'efiect operation of said actuating mechanism in timed relation with said moving container for gauging salid container by the gauge element, and means operable in response to traverse of the gauge element through the gauging zone in the lower limit and upper displaced positions of said element to engage and remove the container from said predetermined path.

3. Apparatus for gauging the neck opening of a container moving continuously in a predetermined path, comprising a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of diflerent diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specified for the container openings, actuating mechanism operable to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of the moving container, means biasing the gauge element to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said element for displacement upwardly by the container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event that said smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, detector means actuatable by the container operable to effect operation of said actuating mechanism in timed relation with said moving container for gauging said container by the gauge element, actuator means movable with the gauge element, control means actuatable by said actuator means in said lower limit and upper displaced positions of said gauge element during traverse thereof through said gauging zone, and means responsive to actuation of said control means operable to remove the conactuating mechanism for said gauging member operable to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of each container, means biasing the gauging member to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said gauging member and element for displacement by the container to an upper position when the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter a container neck opening and to an intermediate position when said smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, detector means actuatable by each container of the series operable to effect operation of said actuating mechanism in timed relation with said moving containers for gauging said container by the gauge element, and means operable by traverse of the gauging member through the gauging zone in the lower limit and upper displaced positions thereof to engage and remove from said series of containers the container gauged by said traverse of the gauging member.

5. Apparatus for gauging the neck openings of a continuously moving series of containers, comprising a ganging member including a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of different diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specified for the container openings, mechanism operable to cause the gauging member to traverse a predetermined arcuate path in the direction of travel of the containers from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of a container, means biasing the gauging member to a lower limit position with respect to said mechanism and yieldingly mounting said gauging member and element for displacement upwardly by a container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event that said smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, drive means for said mechanism operable to actuate the same and said gauging member in timed relation to said moving series of containers, detector means actuatable by each container advanced by the conveyor and operable to effect operation of said drive means, actuator means carried by said gauging member, control means having portions thereof disposed for engagement and actuation by said actuator means in said lower limit and upper displaced positions or" the gauge element during traverse thereof through said gauging zone, means for removing selected containers from said advancing series thereof, means normally rendering said removing means inoperative, and means rendered operative by actuation of said control means for actuating said removing means to remove the container which caused actuation of said control means.

6. Apparatus for gauging neck openings of a continuously moving series of containers, comprising a gauging member including a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of different diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specitied for the container openings, actuating mechanism for said gauging member operable in timed relation to the moving containers to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path in the direction of travel of the containers from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauge element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of a container, means biasing the gauging member to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said gauging member and element for displacement upwardly by a container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event that said smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, detector means actuatable by each container operable to effect operation of said actuating mechanism in timed relation with said containers, actuator means carried by said gauging member, control means having portions thereof disposed for engagement and actuation by said actuator means in said lower limit and upper displaced positions of the gauging member during traverse thereof through said gauging zone, said control means having clearance for said actuator means in said intermediate displaced position of the gauging member to preclude actuation of the control means during traverse of the gauging member through said gauging zone in the said intermediate displaced position thereof, and means operative in response to actuation'of said control member for removing from said series the container responsible for actuation of said control means.

7. Apparatus for gauging neck openings of a continuously moving series of containers, comprising a gauging member including a gauge element having axially aligned gauge portions of different diameter corresponding respectively to the minimum and maximum diameters specitied for the container openings, actuating mechanism for said gauging member operable in timed relation to the containers to cause the gauge element to traverse a predetermined arcuate path in the direction of travel of the container from a retracted position through a lower gauging zone and return, said gauging element in the lower gauging zone thereof being disposed for insertion into the neck opening of a container advanced by the conveyor, means biasing the gauging member to a lower limit position with respect to said actuating mechanism and yieldingly mounting said gauging member and element for displacement upwardly by a container to an upper position in the event that the smaller diameter portion of the gauge element fails to enter the neck opening and to an intermediate position in the event thatsaid smaller diameter portion only enters the neck opening, detector means actuatable by each container operable to effect operation of said actuating mechanism for gauging said container, actuator means carried by said gauging member, control means having portions disposed for engagement and actuation by said actuator means in said lower limit and upper displaced positions of the gauging member during traverse thereof through said gauging zone, said control means having clearance for said actuator means in said intermediate displaced position of the gauging member to preclude actuation of the control means during traverse of the gauging member through said gauging zone in the said intermediate displaced position thereof, ejector means for removing a container from said series, means normally rendering said ejector means inoperative, and means operative in response to actuation of said control member for rendering said ejector means operative to remove from the series the container which caused actuation of said control means by said actuator means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the actuator mechanism for the gauging member includes an electrically operated normally disengaged clutch and an electric circuit for energizing said clutch to engage same, and the detector means includes a normally open switch in said circuit actuatable to closed position by a container whereby upon actuation of said detector means the clutch is engaged to render said actuator mechanism operative to v l 1 cause the gauging member to traverse its predetermined path.

9'. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a second switch normally biased to closed position is included in said circuit, and means is provided in the gauging member actuating mechanism operable to actuate said switch to open position after traverse of said gauging member through its predetermined path.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the means for actuating the container removing means comprises a solenoid and an electric circuit including said solenoid and a normally open switch which is closed by the control means when actuated by the actuator means carried by the gauging member, whereby upon closing of said switch said solenoid is energized to actuate the ejector means to remove the container which caused the control means to be actuated.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein a second switch normally biased to closed position is included in said circuit and means is provided to hold said switch in References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,596,342 McNutt May 13, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 707,572 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1954 

1. APPARATUS FOR GAUGING THE NECK OPENING OF A CONTAINER MOVING CONTINUOUSLY IN A PREDETERMINED PATH, COMPRISING A GAUGE ELEMENT HAVING AXIALLY ALIGNED GAUGE PORTIONS OF DIFFERENT DIAMETER CORRESPONDING RESPECTIVELY TO THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM DIAMETERS SPECIFIED FOR THE CONTAINER OPENING, ACTUATING MECHANISM OPERABLE TO CAUSE THE GAUGE ELEMENT TO TRAVERSE A PREDETERMINED ARCUATE PATH FROM A RETRACTED POSITION THROUGH A LOWER GAUGING ZONE AND RETURN, SAID GAUGE ELEMENT IN THE LOWER GAUGING ZONE THEREOF BEING DISPOSED FOR INSERTION INTO THE NECK OPENING OF THE MOVING CONTAINER, MEANS BIASING THE GAUGE ELEMENT TO A LOWER LIMIT POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID ACTUATING MECHANISM AND YIELDINGLY MOUNTING SAID ELEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT UPWARDLY BY THE CONTAINER TO AN UPPER POSITION IN THE EVENT THAT THE SMALLER DIAMETER PORTION OF THE GAUGE ELEMENT FAILS TO ENTER THE NECK OPENING AND TO AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION IN THE EVENT THAT SAID SMALLER DIAMETER PORTION ONLY ENTERS THE NECK OPENING, AND DETECTOR MEANS ACTUATABLE BY THE CONTAINER OPERABLE TO EFFECT OPERATION OF SAID ACTUATING MECHANISM IN TIMED RELATION WITH SAID MOVING CONTAINER FOR GAUGING SAID CONTAINER BY THE GAUGE ELEMENT. 